The definition of a drydock is a vessel or narrow basin that can be filled with water to allow a vessel to be floated in, then drained to allow that vessel to rest on a dry platform. Drydocks are used for the maintenance, construction and repair of boats, yachts and ships. The standard drydock, usually known as a graving dock, is a narrow basin, cut into the earth and often lined (with concrete), closed by gates or by a caisson, into which a vessel may be floated and the water pumped out, leaving the vessel supported on blocks. The keel blocks as well as the bilge block are placed on the floor of the dock in accordance with the "docking plan" of the ship. Some drydocks used for ship construction , others for the maintenance and repair of ships - sometimes for repair of battle damage. Houseboats need drydocks for the cleaning (removal of barnacles and rust), surveying and subsequent re-painting of hulls belkow the waterline and fitting or replacing of sacrificial anodes. Some fine-tuning of the ship's position can be done by divers while there is still some water left to manoeuvre it about. It is extremely important that supporting blocks conform to the structural members so that the ship is not damaged when its weight is supported by the blocks. Some anti-submarine warfare warships have protruding sonar domes, requiring that the hull of the ship be supported several meters from the bottom of the drydock. Once the remainder of the water is pumped out, the ship can be freely inspected or serviced. When work on the ship is finished, water is allowed to re-enter the dry dock and the ship is carefully refloated. Modern graving docks are box-shaped, to accommodate the newer, boxier ship designs, whereas old drydocks are often shaped like the ships that are planned to be docked there. This shaping was advantageous because such a dock was easier to build, it was easier to side-support the ships, and less water had to be pumped away. U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Michigan inside a flooded drydock.Drydocks used for building Navy vessels may occasionally be built with a roof. This is done to prevent spy satellites from taking pictures of the drydock and any ships or submarines that may be in it. During World War II covered drydocks were frequently used by submarine fleets to protect them from enemy air raids; however, their effectiveness in that role diminished after the Second World War. Today, covered drydocks are usually used only when servicing or repairing a fleet ballistic missile submarine. Another advantage of covered drydocks is that one can work independently of the weather. This can save time in bad weather. [edit] Floating The towboat, DOLPHIN I, in a floating drydock on the Mississippi river in Algiers, Louisiana. Blohm + Voss, Port of HamburgA floating drydock is a type of pontoon for dry docking ships, possessing floodable buoyancy chambers and a "U" shaped cross-section. The walls are used to give the drydock stability when the floor is below the water level. When valves are opened the chambers are filled with water, the dry dock floats lower in the water, allowing a ship to be moved into position inside. When the water is pumped out of the chambers, the drydock rises and the deck is cleared of water, allowing work to proceed on the ship's hull. Shipyards operate floating drydocks, among other means of hauling or docking vessels. The advantage of floating drydocks is that they can be moved all over the world and also can be sold second-hand. During World War II, the U.S. Navy used such (floating) drydocks extensively to provide maintenance in remote locations.
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We currently advertise boats in:- Rightmove; Independent Network of Estate Agents; Apollo Duck; Network YachtBrokers; Dover Boats: Sothebys Brokerage; Yachtworld; Boatshop 24; Sailing Today; Yachting Monthly;Boats and Yachts; Motor Boat Monthly (Plus 6 Free to advertise websites ~all as at June 2009)

All about Residential Cruisers a copyrighted phrase that I coined myself to include all motor vessels that are lived on.

YOU CAN SELL YOUR HOUSE HERE NOW OR GET A SECOND MORTGAGE AND LET YOUR HOUSE OUT TO FINANCE YOUR HOUSEBOAT!!
Just phone or visit The Houseboat Centre and ask for ROB!
He will also find accomodation for you to rent while you build or complete your houseboat.
Just another excellent service from THE HOUSEBOAT CENTRE ~ Your One-Stop Shop, helping you to Change YOUR LIFE!

A page all about Sailing Liveaboards ~Sailing vessels that are lived on. Many are production Yachts.Some are purpose built as liveaboard homes. If you want to to cruise and liveaboard, you are STRONGLY advised to get quality sailing and navigation instruction from a RYA approved training centre first. My additional advice is "Never go out in any vessel on any water without someone on board who is put in charge, who is experienced in that water and that type of vessel.... until YOU become that experienced person!

A page all about Static Houseboats ~houseboats that have no working engines or sails. Some are purpose built as static homes, others are converted from vessels that have had engines removed or that just don't work. Static Houseboats give a stable home base for the family and can have permanent connection to main facilities.

A page all about Dutch Barges to live on with Dutch Barges for sale as well as video tours and general information.

A page all about Fishing Boats to live on with Fishing Boats for sale as well as video tours and general information.

A page all about Tug Boats to live on withTug Boats for sale as well as general information.

A page all about Conversion Objects that can be made into Boats to live on with Conversion Objects for sale as well as general information.

Project Consultancy Terms On second meeting the client will provide a photo-card driving license or passport and proof of address. Also proof of funds or pre-arranged credit to cover the budget for the project. A deposit of GBP1000 to be paid in to the client holding account at this point. For consultancy the fee is GBP100 for the first hour.. You will be charged up to one hour for each missed or late arrival at appointment. Subsequent hours at GBP150 per hour This includes non-contact research time. Many consultancy projects are then migrated to the ultimately chosen manufacturer. No further fees would be charged subsequent to total handover of the project, or you could choose to continue the consultancy. Fees are due to be paid on each day of consultation. Deposit to be returned or allowed against project cost on conclusion of the project.

There are some things that need to be done in any home. But it is worth considering them here. The basic example is, 'having a spare”. If you use something regularly, like hand-soap in the bathroom or jam, then keep a spare in a handy place. When the jam runs out, replace it with the spare and write jam on the shopping list under the magnet on the fridge door. This applies to fan belts in cars as well as boats, certainly Gas bottles if you use gas on board. If you have a fuel tank in your car or boat, carry a small can of fuel just in case. On a Static houseboat the spares will be identical to those in a home.
A residential cruiser has two extra areas of consideration.
• All the spares needed for the engine, generator and cruising
equipment.
• Depending on the length of cruise, more household spares may
be needed if planning to be out in the country away from
boatyards, roads and shops.

Electrical systems must be carefully installed for safety reasons. I admit that I started wiring our first floating home using the Readers'Digest DIY guide and never looked back. You may prefer to employ a qualified electrician! It is important to minimise the risks from shortcircuits and overheating cables. Also, I don't use the old-fashioned unsealed batteries, because they produce hydrogen when charging (Istill always make sure that batteries are stowed in a ventilated area,
that batteries and cables can't move around, that fuses and circuitbreakers are correctly installed and rated for the circuits they protect. I like to look over the wiring a couple of times a year to see what is worn out and needs replacing.I also have cut-off switches for main circuits, clearly marked and easily accessible. ( extract from The Houseboat Book by D Greenaway. If you want to read the full text click here. )